Phalaenopsis orchid plant named ‘Spotlight’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Phalaenopsis  plant named ‘Spotlight’ particularly characterized by flowers which are yellow/green with red/purple and a yellow/green labellum; plants which may be propagated economically and uniformly using tissue culture; plants which produce more than one inflorescence; long and sturdy inflorescences; and relatively short, dark-green foliage.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Phalaenopsis hybrida.

Variety denomination: ‘Spotlight’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Phalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis of the Orchidaceae family, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘Spotlight’.

Phalaenopsis comprises a genus of about 55 species of herbaceous perennials many of which, or the hybrids thereof, are suitable for cultivation in the home or greenhouse. Phalaenopsis is predominantly epiphytic or rock-dwelling, and is native to tropical Asia, the Malay Archipelago, and Oceania. The species typically has 2-ranked, fleshy, oblong or elliptic leaves affixed to a short central stem (monopodial growth), which vary in size from 5 to 8 inches to over 2 feet. The leaves may be entirely green or mottled with silver grey.

Phalaenopsis orchids, often referred to as ‘Moth Orchids’ in the horticultural trade, are frequently used to furnish cut flowers for the florist trade or sold as flowering potted-plants for home or interiorscape.

Phalaenopsis produces upright or pendent lateral racemes, often with many showy flowers which open in succession beginning with the lowermost. The flowers possess three sepals and three petals; the lateral ones being alike. The lowermost petal, called the labellum, is three-lobed and is often more brightly-colored than the other flower segments. Flower colors include various shades of pink, white, yellow and red-brown.

Phalaenopsis orchids are typically propagated from seeds. Asexual propagation of Phalaenopsis is often done from off-shoots which frequently arise from the lower bracts of the inflorescence. The resulting plants are detached from the mother plant and may be planted in a suitable substrate.

The new Phalaenopsis ‘Spotlight’ is a product of a controlled breeding program conducted by the inventor, René Schoone, in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands. The objective of the breeding program was to develop a new Phalaenopsis cultivar particularly characterized by its attractive and unique colored flowers, economical propagation via tissue culture, rapid growth, and a plant dimension suitable for packaging and shipping to the market.

The new Phalaenopsis ‘Spotlight’ originated from a cross made by the inventor in 2001 in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands. The female or seed parent is the Phalaenopsis cultivar designated ‘Liu's Fantasy’, unpatented. The male or pollen parent is the Phalaenopsis cultivar designated ‘Matou Tris’, unpatented. The new Phalaenopsis ‘Spotlight’ was discovered and selected by the inventor as a single flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross in a controlled environment in 2009 in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands.

Asexual reproduction of the new Phalaenopsis cultivar by tissue culture (mericloning) was first performed in November, 2009 in Cieweg 13, Heemskerk, The Netherlands, and has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction. The new cultivar asexually reproduces true-to-type.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘Spotlight’, which in combination distinguish this Phalaenopsis as a new and distinct cultivar:

-   -   1. flowers which are yellow/green with red/purple and a         yellow/green labellum;     -   2. plant produces more than one inflorescence;     -   3. plants may be propagated economically and uniformly using         tissue culture;     -   4. inflorescences are long and sturdy; and     -   5. relatively short, dark-green foliage.

In comparison with the parental cultivars of ‘Spotlight’, the female parent ‘Liu's Fantasy’ is white with yellow and pink in the labellum, the male parent ‘Matou Tris’ has a purple/lilac striped flower with white in the center and a purple labellum, whereas the flowers of ‘Spotlight’ are yellow/green with red/purple and a yellow/green labellum.

Presently, the commercial cultivar to which ‘Spotlight’ can be meaningfully compared is ‘212803’ (unpatented). The raceme of ‘Spotlight’ is a little shorter and the flowers of ‘Spotlight’ are slightly larger than ‘212803’. Also differs the shape of the labellum.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Phalaenopsis ‘Spotlight’ showing the colors as true as is reasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describe the color of ‘Spotlight’.

FIG. 1 shows a side view perspective of a typical flowering plant of ‘Spotlight’ in a 12 cm pot, at 16 months of age.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up view of the typical flower of ‘Spotlight’.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up view of the typical leaves of ‘Spotlight’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘Spotlight’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar may vary with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, and day length without any change in the genotype of the plant.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the following observations, measurements and values describe plants of ‘Spotlight’ as grown in a greenhouse in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands, under conditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice. Initially, the ideal temperature to grow plants of ‘Spotlight’ is 27° C. during the day and at night. Then, during the flowering phase of ‘Spotlight’, the ideal growing temperature is 20-22° C. during the day and 18° C. at night. Light levels for growing ‘Spotlight’ are a minimum of 5,000 lux and a maximum of 10,000 lux. A balanced fertilizer with level of 200 ppm N, 87 ppm P, 168 ppm K is applied. Duration of growth of ‘Spotlight’ from potting size is between 10 and 14 months.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.), 2007 edition, except where general colors of ordinary significance are used. Color values were taken under daylight conditions at approximately noon in Zaandammerweg, Assendelft, The Netherlands. The age of the ‘Spotlight’ plants described is 12 months after potting.

-   Classification:     -   -   Botanical.—Phalaenopsis hybrida. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female or seed parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar designated             ‘Liu's Fantasy’, unpatented.         -   Male or pollen parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar designated             ‘Matou Tris’, unpatented. -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—Tissue culture.         -   Rooting habit and description.—Fleshy; approximately 3 mm-6             mm wide and greyed/green in color (RHS 191D); freely             branching. It takes 12 weeks for plants growing in tissue             culture to initiate roots. -   Plant:     -   -   Size at maturity.—Height (from bottom of pot to highest             flower): about 45 cm. Spread: about 45 cm..         -   Growth habit.—Small; green leaves (RHS N137A) and a             relatively normal raceme.         -   Vigor.—Moderate.         -   Crop time.—Following asexual propagation, at about 26 weeks             2 leaves appear; at about 30 weeks 3-4 leaves appear; after             a cold treatment of about 4-8 weeks at a temperature of             about 19° C. about 1-5 racemes with flowers appear. -   Foliage:     -   -   Quantity per plant.—About 6-8 leaves are produced before             flowering.         -   Arrangement and attachment.—Half up/horizontal and on two             sides.         -   Overall shape of leaf.—Oval; the tip is blunt and             asymmetric.         -   Texture (upper & underside).—Smooth and leathery.         -   Pubescence.—None.         -   Mature leaf length.—About 15 to 23 cm.         -   Mature leaf width.—About 9 cm.         -   Mature leaf thickness.—About 2 mm.         -   Mature leaf color.—Upper side: green (RHS N137A). Under             side: green (RHS N137A).         -   Leaf base.—Acute.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Venation.—Pattern: parallel. Color of midvein: upper side:             green (RHS 139A). Under side: green (RHS 138A). -   Inflorescence description:     -   -   Appearance.—Upright to slightly pendant, racemose             inflorescence with bilaterally symmetrical flowers that open             in succession beginning with the lowermost flower.         -   Raceme.—Quantity per plant: about 1 to 5. Number of flowers             per raceme: about 10-45. Length: about 40/45 cm.         -   Peduncle.—Diameter: about 4 mm. Strength: strong. Aspect:             upright. Texture: glabrous and smooth. Color: green (RHS             137C). Internode: Length: about 30 mm.         -   Buds.—Height (from base to tip): about 15 mm. Diameter (at             midpoint): about 15 mm. Shape: oval/egg-shaped with a bump             on one side. Color: yellow/green (RHS 145B). Orientation:             same as flowers (forward facing).         -   Flowering time.—For an untreated plant (flowering plant that             has not undergone cold-treatment where the plant grows at a             temperature of 18° C. to 19° C. for about 4 to 8 weeks after             a period of about 30 weeks at a temperature of 25° C.), 1-5             racemes appear with flower buds and. First flowers can be             expected approximately 4 to 6 months after planting a plant             with a leaf diameter of 3 to 5 cm. Flowers persistent.         -   Flowering longevity.—On the plant: about 4 to 6 months;             lastingness of cut flowers: has not been observed.         -   Fragrance.—No fragrance.         -   Flower.—Rate of opening: Flowers fully opened about 2 to 3             days after petal and sepal separation. Orientation at             opening: slanted upward and outward. Shape: Typical shape of             Phalaenopsis, see FIG. 2. Size (of single bloom): Height:             about 40 mm. Diameter: about 45 mm. Quantity and             arrangement: three petals and three sepals that are             trimerous, overlapping and arranged in 2 whorls. Petals are             more pronounced than sepals.         -   Petals.—Arrangement: Inner whorl comprises 3 petals: 2             lateral petals and a labellum. 2 lateral petals: Overall             shape: broadly ovate (little triangular) and weakly cupped.             Apex: oval, little pointy. Margin: entire and weakly             undulate. Base: broadly ovate. Length: about 23 mm. Width:             about 22 mm. Texture: Upper surface: smooth and satiny.             Under surface: smooth and satiny. Color (when fully opened):             upper side: yellow/green (RHS 154D) which runs into             red/purple (RHS 69C) and violet (RHS 85D). Violet veins are             vaguely visible (RHS 84A). Under side: yellow/green (RHS             154D) which runs into red/purple (RHS 69C) and violet (RHS             85D). Labellum: Overall shape: 3-lobed with 2 prominent             callosities at central junction of the lateral lobes and             base of the midlobe. Lateral lobes of labellum fold upward             about the column; the midlobe extends forward and is             terminated by 2 stubs appendages at the apex. Lateral lobes             of the labellum are ovate in shape while the midlobe is             triangular with a bump and a rib on it. Margin: entire and             weakly undulate. Apex: oval. Length: about 20 mm. Width (not             flattened): about 15 mm. Depth of tube created by lateral             lobes of labellum: about 8 mm. Texture: Upper & under             surface: smooth and satiny. Color (when fully opened): Mid             lobe, upper side: yellow/green (RHS 151C) which runs into             grey/orange (RHS 164C). Under side: from base yellow/green             (RHS 151B and RHS 151C) to white (RHS NN155A) with a             red/purple haze (RHS 70B). At the sides grey/orange (RHS             164B) which runs into RHS 164A. Lateral lobes, upper side:             At the base yellow/green (RHS 8A) with greyed/orange spots             (RHS 165C and RHS 165B). After that it runs into             greyed/orange (RHS 164C) with a red/purple haze (RHS 70C).             Under side: at base little white (RHS NN155B). Further             yellow/green (RHS 153D) which runs into grey/orange (RHS             164C and RHS 164D) with a red/purple haze (RHS 70B). Cirrhi:             about 3 mm. Color: grey/orange (RHS 165B and RHS 165C).             Pestle (Callosities): Length: about 4 mm. Width (not             flattened): about 5 mm. Color: yellow/green (RHS 1A) with             greyed/orange spots (RHS 165C).         -   Sepals.—Arrangement: Outer whorl comprises 3 sepals, one             dorsal and two lateral sepals. Overall shape: elliptical and             weakly cupped. Margin: entire and weakly undulate. Length:             about 20 mm. Width: about 18 mm. Apex: dorsal: oval with             little notch; lateral: little pointy. Texture: Upper and             under surface: smooth and satiny. Color (when fully opened):             Upper side, dorsal: in the center yellow/green (RHS 150C).             Closer to the edges violet (RHS 85C). The veins are vaguely             violet (RHS 84A). Lateral: in the center yellow/green (RHS             150B and RHS 150D). Closer to the edges green/white (RHS             157C) with violet (RHS 58C). Veins are vaguely violet (RHS             84A). Under side, dorsal: from base yellow/green (RHS 145B             and RHS 145C). Runs into white (RHS NN155B) with a             red/purple haze (RHS 70B). Lateral: from base yellow/green             (RHS 150B) and closer to the edges green/white (RHS 157D)             with a red/purple haze (RHS 70B and RHS 70C).         -   Pedicel.—Length: about 30 mm. Diameter: about 3 mm. Texture:             glabrous and smooth. Color: yellow/green (RHS 145A). -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Arrangement.—The stamens, style and stigmas are fused into a             single, short structure called the column, possessing one             terminal anther with pollen grains united into a pollinia,             which are covered by an anther cap. The stigma is located             under the column behind the pollinia. The ovary is inferior             with three carpels present. The plant has not produced seed.         -   Column.—Length: about 8 mm. Diameter: about 3 mm. Color:             yellow/green (RHS 145D).         -   Pollinia.—Quantity: two. Diameter: about 2 mm. Color: orange             (RHS 24A).         -   Ovary.—Length: about 3 mm. Diameter: about 2 mm. Color:             yellow/green (RHS 145C). -   Disease/pest resistance/susceptibility: No specific resistance or     susceptibility observed. -   Temperature tolerance: Tolerant to a low temperature of about 15° C.     and to a high temperature about 30° C. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct Phalaenopsis plant named ‘Spotlight’, as illustrated and described herein. 